- State to deploy 'green berets' for environment
After the success of the internationally-acclaimed movement to preserve forests, West Bengal is helping the formation of "environment protection committee (EPC)". The state environment department has helped set up three EPCs as pilot projects in the state in the last few months.
Medicinal flora project
The Centre has sanctioned a five-year project, with an outlay of Rs. 2.41 crores, for the conservation and commercial cultivation of medicinal flora in Madhya Pradesh.The Director, Task Force for the conservation of medicinal plants, Dr. A.A. Boaz, said cultivation of medicinal flora would be undertaken on 400 hectares every …
- Water-table poses problems
Haryana is currently faced with the twin problems of rising and falling water-table . This has already led to a considerable area in the state going waste.
Karnataka Opp holds up House over Western Ghats encroachments
Chaos ruled in the Assembly yesterday over allegations of encroachment on forest land in Chikamagalur district, allegedly by prominent persons - including State Janata Dal president B.L. Shankar. The Opposition joined hands to blast the Government. Armed with press clippings on the Supreme Court's observations on the issue, Opposition leader …
Shankar did not violate Forest Act, says CM
The Chief Minister, Mr. J.H. Patel, today rejected the demand of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly to constitute a House committee to go into encroachment of forest land in Chickmagalur district allegedly by the President of the State Janata Dal, Mr. B.L. Shankar, among others. He said that Mr. …
Raise forests on one-third of land
panel : An expert committee constituted by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests to study the National Forest Policy (NFP) in view of the changing national and regional scenario, has come to the conclusion that the policy, does not need major changes. The committee, under the Chairmanship of Mr. …
- Ownership of MFP to tribal, SC dwellers
The M P State Government has decided to give ownership right over Minor Forest Produce (MFP) to the tribal, scheduled caste and forest dwellers and distribute total net profit from MFP trade among them. The policy of collection of MFP will be implemented in all areas of the State. The …
- Decline in forest fires
Effective implementation of preventive measures coupled with favourable weather conditions have brought about a marked decline in forest fires in the state over the past three years. The summer is nearing its peak but so far not a single incident of forest fire has been reported from any part of …
Malaysian haze problem may worsen
Malaysia's environment minister has warned that the haze caused by plumes of smoke rising from blazing forests in parts of Indonesia and Malaysia could worsen in the coming weeks, a newspaper said on Tuesday. The thick haze over parts of Borneo Island and Indonesia could envelope the main Malaysian peninsula …
J&K officials fet notice for felling trees
The Supreme Court on Tuesday, issued show cause contempt notice for initiating proceedings against two officers of the Jammu & Kashmir Government and the Managing Director of a private firm for wilful disobedience of the court's orders banning fallling of trees in the state.
Suitable changes in forest laws urged
Environment and human rights crusaders are hopeful that the Union Minister for Environment and Forests, Mr. Suresh Prabhu, would view forest and wildlife protection policy from the people's point of view and unsure that forest dwellers and others dependent on non-timber forest produce are seen as invaluable human resource asets …
Patel Govt. going all out to complete dam
With hardly two years left for Karnataka to utilise its share of the Krishna waters as per the Bachawat Award, the Karnataka Government seems to be training all its energies to complete the Alamatti Dam of the Upper Krishna Project, the mainstay for the State to protect its share. The …
Dolly had a little lamb
Bonnie may be cute, but biotech firms aim to breed genetically engineered flocks that yield medicines : a report.
State to introduce new forest Bill
Forest Minister D Manjunath said that the State Government would come out with a comprehensive Karnataka Forest (Amendment) Bill based on the National Forest Policy evolved by the Centre after incorporating suggestions made by various members of the legislature.
A genetic game of chicken
For analysing the contribution of a bird's genes to the flavour and texture of its flesh is one of the principal goals of China's chicken genome project. This project is being organised by Daniel Chan, the head of Hong Kong University's zoology department, and his colleague Fred Leung.
2 projects taken up to ensure optimal use of Ganges water
The government has taken up two priority projects, Gorai River Excavation and updating pre-feasibility studies of the Ganges Barrage - to ensure optimal use of the Ganges water and save 40 million people of the country's south-easten region from severe environmental degradation caused by the desertification.
- New fungus attacks neem trees
The neem trees is being threatened by the Die-Bach fungal disease in Karnataka. According to a field survey conducted over the last four years by a group of researchers from the University of Mysore, the Die-Back disease is destroying neem trees of all sizes and ages in many parts of …
